Investigating the effect of gum base components on chewing gum quality and aroma release mechanism: In-vitro kinetic modeling

In this study, the effects of main gum base components, namely butyl rubber, polyvinyl acetate and natural resin, on the aroma (menthol) release mechanism and quality of sugar-free chewing gums were investigated. According to the results, the sensory evaluation of aroma release was closely similar to the analysis performed with the GC-MS equipment. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model was the best model explaining the menthol release from chewing gum, and it was found that the release was mostly in the form of Fickian diffusion. The polyvinyl acetate had the greatest effect on the aroma release, and the aroma intensity increased in parallel with the ratio in the formulations. According to the optimization results, softening temperatures and instrumental hardness of the sample, which showed the highest aroma durability were found to be 80.00 °C and 22.45 N.

Efficiency of aqueous oleosome extraction from capsicum seeds compared to classical oil extraction

The extraction of oil from oilseeds in intact oleosomes is one of the suggested processes that could replace the extraction of oil by pressing and solvent extraction, being milder, environmentally less impactful and potentially more efficient in its use of resources. This study assesses the latter using an exergy assessment of oleosome extraction for food emulsions. The contribution of each part of the process to the overall impact was investigated. Based on current lab-scale data, oleosome extraction has nearly twice the exergy loss compared to the industrial process of oil extraction and industrial assembly of emulsions. The exergy losses of the lab-scale oleosome extraction are currently dominated by the chemical exergy associated with product loss during the separation of oleosomes from the rest of the biomass. This loss is expected to significantly decrease when upscaled to industrial scale. When substituted with industrial material efficiencies, the total exergy loss decreased to nearly a quarter of the original loss, representing oleosome extraction as a potentially more effective and environment-friendly option.

Impact of the European Union's menthol cigarette ban on smoking cessation outcomes: longitudinal findings from the 2020-2021 ITC Netherlands Surveys

INTRODUCTION

To reduce the appeal of tobacco, the European Union (EU) banned menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes in May 2020. This pre/post-study evaluated the impact of the menthol ban on smoking cessation outcomes among a representative cohort of Dutch smokers.

METHODS

Adult (18+ years) smokers were recruited at wave 1 (pre-ban) of the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Surveys (February-March 2020) and followed post-ban at wave 2 (September-November 2020) and wave 3 (June-July 2021) (N=1326 participated in all three waves). Weighted bivariate, logistic regression and generalised estimating equation model analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Usual menthol use decreased from pre-ban (7.8%) to post-ban (4.0% at wave 2 and 4.4% at wave 3) (p<0.001). Pre-ban menthol smokers had greater odds of making a post-ban quit attempt than non-menthol smokers (66.9% vs 49.6%, adjusted OR (aOR)=1.89, 95% CI: 1.13 to 3.16). Compared with pre-ban non-menthol smokers, a higher proportion of menthol smokers quit by wave 2 (17.8% vs 10.2%, p=0.025) and by wave 3 (26.1% vs 14.1%, p=0.002), although this was not significant after adjusting for other factors. Female pre-ban menthol smokers had greater odds of quitting by wave 3 than female non-menthol smokers (aOR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.10 to 4.51). Most pre-ban menthol smokers (n=99) switched to non-menthol cigarettes (40.0%) or reported that they continued to smoke menthol cigarettes (33.0%) at wave 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The EU menthol ban was effective in reducing menthol use and in increasing quit attempts and quitting among pre-ban menthol smokers. Impact could be maximised by closing gaps that allow post-ban menthol cigarette use.

Creating and Implementing a Community-Focused, Culturally Tailored Health Marketing Campaign to Address Menthol Cigarette Use in Los Angeles County

Introduction

Menthol tobacco products have been marketed disproportionately to communities of color for decades.

Methods

In Los Angeles County, California, a health marketing campaign, which used glossy visuals and attractive people in appealing poses, reminiscent of tobacco marketing tactics, was created and implemented to educate smokers on the health risks of using menthol cigarettes. The campaign encouraged smokers to make a quit attempt by offering access to free or low-cost resources through the Kick It California quitline and the LAQuits website (laquits.com). A survey tailored for public health professionals and community members from the approximately 382,000 people in the county who smoked menthol cigarettes and were exposed to their smoke (our primary audience) was administered to generate insights about this problem. Survey data were used to finesse the campaign creative materials prior to launch. Advertisement exposures, website visits, and quitline call volume were monitored and tabulated to assess the performance of the campaign.

Results

At the conclusion of its initial run (February-April 2021), the "Done with Menthol" campaign had garnered more than 66 million impressions, received approximately 56,000 clicks on its various digital media platforms, and had click-through rates that surpassed industry benchmarks. The quitline call volume for African American and Latino subgroups were 1.9 and 1.8 times higher than the average inbound call volume for corresponding months during 2018 and 2019, respectively. In its second run (May-June 2023), the campaign garnered approximately 11 million additional impressions.

Conclusions

Despite having a lower budget and fewer resources than the tobacco industry, the "Done with Menthol" campaign attained excellent reach and offered free, low-cost, and accessible resources to county residents interested in tobacco use cessation.

Impacts of Smoking Ban Policies on Billiard Hall Sales in South Korea Using Objective Sales Information of a Credit Card Company: Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

Smoking ban policies (SBPs) are potent health interventions and offer the potential to influence antismoking behavior. The Korean government completely prohibited smoking in indoor sports facilities, including billiard halls, since the government revised the National Health Promotion Act in December 2017.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the impact of the SBP on the economic outcomes of indoor sports facilities, particularly billiard halls.

METHODS

This study used credit card sales data from the largest card company in South Korea. Data are from January 2017 to December 2018. Monthly sales data were examined across 23 administrative neighborhoods in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea. We conducted the interrupted time series model using the fixed effects model and the linear regression with panel-corrected standard errors (PCSE).

RESULTS

The sales and transactions of billiard halls were not significantly changed after the introduction of the SBP in the full PCSE models. The R2 of the full PCSE model was 0.967 for sales and 0.981 for transactions.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of the SBP did not result in substantial economic gains or losses in the sales of billiard halls. In addition to existing price-based policies, the enhanced SBP in public-use facilities, such as billiard halls, can have a positive synergistic effect on reducing smoking prevalence and preventing secondhand smoke. Health policy makers can actively expand the application of SBPs and make an effort to enhance social awareness regarding the necessity and benefits of public SBPs for both smokers and the owners of hospitality facilities.

It's Not Just: Evaluation of a Media Campaign to Motivate Action Around Targeting of Menthol Tobacco in Black Communities

Introduction

For more than 60 years, tobacco companies have aggressively marketed menthol tobacco products in Black communities. In 2021, New York State Department of Health-funded grantees launched a media campaign aimed toward civically engaged New York adults to educate and mobilize community action to prevent targeted marketing of menthol tobacco. This study examined audience reactions to the campaign and associations between campaign awareness and key outcomes.

Methods

Following campaign implementation, we administered 2 online, cross-sectional surveys to 2,000 civically engaged New York adults to assess campaign awareness, audience reactions, and campaign-related attitudes and behaviors. We examined sociodemographic differences in audience reactions and assessed multivariate associations between campaign awareness and key outcomes.

Results

Overall, 40% of respondents were aware of the campaign. Perceived advertisement (ad) effectiveness was higher among Black, Hispanic, and nonsmoking respondents and those aware of the campaign. Negative reactions to ads were higher at wave 1, among non-Hispanic White and male respondents, and among current smokers. Campaign awareness was positively associated with campaign-related beliefs. The association between campaign awareness and support for a menthol ban varied by survey wave and race, with positive associations at wave 2 and among non-Hispanic White respondents only. Among wave 2 respondents only, campaign awareness was positively associated with actions to reduce the targeting of menthol in Black communities.

Conclusion

Media campaigns can play an important role in raising awareness of menthol tobacco product targeting in Black communities and building public support for local and statewide menthol restrictions that may be implemented before federal product standards are in place.

Prevalence of menthol cigarette use among adults who smoke from the United States by census division and demographic subgroup, 2002-2020: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) project

BACKGROUND

Targeted marketing of menthol cigarettes in the US influences disparities in the prevalence of menthol smoking. There has been no analysis of sub-national data documenting differences in use across demographic subgroups. This study estimated trends in the prevalence of menthol use among adults who smoke in the nine US census divisions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity from 2002 to 2020.

METHODS

Data from 12 waves of the US ITC Survey were used to estimate the prevalence of menthol cigarette use across census divisions and demographic subgroups using multilevel regression and post-stratification (n = 12,020). Multilevel logistic regression was used to predict the prevalence of menthol cigarette use in 72 cross-classified groups of adults who smoke defined by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; division-level effects were fit with a random intercept. Predicted prevalence was weighted by the total number of adults who smoke in each cross-classified group and aggregated to divisions within demographic subgroup. Estimates were validated against the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS).

RESULTS

Overall modeled prevalence of menthol cigarette use was similar to TUS-CPS estimates. Prevalence among adults who smoke increased in each division from 2002 to 2020. By 2020, prevalence was highest in the Middle (46.3%) and South Atlantic (42.7%) and lowest in the Pacific (25.9%) and Mountain (24.2%) divisions. Prevalence was higher among adults aged 18-29 (vs. 50+) and females (vs. males). Prevalence among non-Hispanic Black people exceeded 80% in the Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West North Central, and South Atlantic in all years and varied most among Hispanic people in 2020 (Pacific: 26.5%, New England: 55.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant geographic variation in the prevalence of menthol cigarette use among adults who smoke suggests the proposed US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) menthol cigarette ban will exert differential public health benefits and challenges across geographic and demographic subgroups.

Commentary: Cigarette dependence in menthol and non-menthol young adult cigarette smokers

FDA's Proposed Final Rule to ban menthol cigarettes asserts that "menthol cigarettes contribute to greater nicotine dependence in youth and young adults than non-menthol cigarettes." However, none of the publications referenced included young adults. To provide empirical evidence on the subject, we examine smoking frequency and Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) dependence among 2,194 young adult (ages 18-25 years) menthol and non-menthol smokers from 31 online survey samples. Unpaired t-tests examined if daily smoking or the proportion of daily smokers who are low or high dependence on the HSI vary by menthol cigarette smoking status. Young adult menthol smokers were less likely to be daily smokers than young adult non-menthol smokers. There were no differences in the percentages of daily menthol and non-menthol smokers categorized as low or high dependence on the HSI. Smoking menthol cigarettes, therefore, does not appear to be associated with greater cigarette dependence among young adults than smoking non-menthol cigarettes.

Effects of capsaicin loads on the properties of capsicum leaf protein-based nanocellulose composite films

This study aims to enhance the functionality of conventional protein-based nanocellulose composite films (PNCF) to meet the high demand for natural antimicrobial packaging films. Capsicum leaf protein (CLP) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from capsicum leaves were used as raw materials. Capsaicin, an essential antibacterial active ingredient in the capsicum plant, was used as an additive. The influence of different capsaicin loads on PNCF physicochemical and material properties was investigated under alkaline conditions. The results show that all film-forming liquids (FFLs) are non-Newtonian fluids with shear thinning behavior. When the capsaicin loading exceeds 20 %, the surface microstructure of PNCF changes from dense lamellar to rod-like. Capsaicin did not alter the PNCF crystal structure, thermal stability or chemical bonding. Capsaicin can be loaded onto the PNCF surface by intermolecular hydrogen bonding reactions with CLP and CNC, preserving capsaicin's biological activity. With increasing capsaicin loads from 0 % to 50 %, the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of PNCF decreased, whereas the diameter of the inhibition zone increased. All PNCFs have UV-blocking properties with potential applications in developing biodegradable food packaging materials. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of capsicum cultivation waste and the preparation of novel PNCF.

A Study on the Efficacy of the Tabletop Roleplaying Game Dungeons & Dragons for Improving Mental Health and Self-Concepts in a Community Sample

Purpose: Tabletop gaming has seen a rise in popularity over the past 10 years, with an influx of interest following the Coronavirus pandemic. Limited research has explored the impact of tabletop roleplaying games on mental health and self-concepts such as self-esteem and self-efficacy. This study used a repeated-measures design with four measurement points to quantitatively evaluate the effect of playing Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) on mental health and self-concepts in a community sample. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five community participants took part in 8 weeks of D&D gameplay (one 1 hour session per week), completing pre-, mid-, and postintervention surveys. Eighteen of these participants also completed a 1-month follow-up measure. Results: Participants demonstrated significant decreases in depression, stress, and anxiety and significant increases in self-esteem and self-efficacy over the study period. Conclusion: As such, D&D may have potential utility as a wellbeing intervention or prevention program.

Sociodemographic and Temporal Differences in Menthol Cigarette Use Among US Adults Who Smoke, 1999-2018

Introduction

Monitoring menthol cigarette use allows for identification of potential health disparities. We examined sociodemographic and temporal differences in menthol cigarette use among US adults who smoke.

Methods

We analyzed data from the 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for adults aged 20 years or older who smoke (N = 11,431) using binary logistic regression.

Results

Among US adults who smoke, 28.8% used menthol cigarettes. After adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, income-to-poverty ratio, and health status, the prevalence of menthol use among adults who smoke increased on average by 3.8% (95% CI, 2.7%-4.9%) annually. Non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest average prevalence of menthol cigarette use, 73.0% (95% CI, 70.9%-75.2%), and Mexican American adults had higher average annual increase in menthol cigarette use, 7.1% (95% CI, 4.0%-10.3%). Adults with fair or poor health status had a 4.3% annual increase in menthol cigarette use (95% CI, 2.5%-6.1%). The adjusted prevalence ratios of menthol cigarette use were 1.61 (95% CI, 1.39-1.83) for adults aged 20-29 years compared with those aged 65 years or older, 1.41 (95% CI, 1.32-1.49) for female adults compared with male adults, and 1.17 (95% CI, 1.07-1.27) for high school graduates or higher compared with those with no high school diploma.

Conclusion

Non-Hispanic Black adults who smoke had the highest prevalence of menthol cigarette use among all racial and ethnic groups; the prevalence of menthol cigarette use among adults who smoke increased especially among Mexican American adults, younger adults, and adults who reported fair to poor health status.

The role of strigolactone in alleviating salinity stress in chili pepper

Salinity stress can significantly delay plant growth. It can disrupt water and nutrient uptake, reducing crop yields and poor plant health. The use of strigolactone can be an effective technique to overcome this issue. Strigolactone enhances plant growth by promoting root development and improvement in physiological attributes. The current pot study used strigolactone to amend chili under no salinity and salinity stress environments. There were four treatments, i.e., 0, 10µM strigolactone, 20µM strigolactone and 30µM strigolactone. All treatments were applied in four replications following a completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that 20µM strigolactone caused a significant increase in chili plant height (21.07%), dry weight (33.60%), fruit length (19.24%), fruit girth (35.37%), and fruit yield (60.74%) compared to control under salinity stress. Significant enhancement in chili chlorophyll a (18.65%), chlorophyll b (43.52%), and total chlorophyll (25.09%) under salinity stress validated the effectiveness of 20µM strigolactone application as treatment over control. Furthermore, improvement in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentration in leaves confirmed the efficient functioning of 20µM strigolactone compared to other concentrations under salinity stress. The study concluded that 20µM strigolactone is recommended for mitigating salinity stress in chili plants. Growers are advised to apply 20µM strigolactone to enhance their chili production under salinity stress.

Should menthol e-cigarettes be banned? Reaction of adult smokers and users of e-cigarettes to hypothetical bans

INTRODUCTION

This study examines how current smokers using menthol cigarettes or flavoured cigars, and current users of flavoured e-cigarettes may respond to three hypothetical flavour-ban scenarios: (1) banning only menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars; (2) also banning e-cigarettes with any non-tobacco flavours except menthol; and (3) also banning e-cigarettes with any non-tobacco flavours, including menthol.

METHODS

Recruited from mTurk, respondents were asked if they would quit all tobacco-nicotine use or continue or start using products that were still legally available. The patterns of responding to each ban scenario, for both flavoured smokers and users of non-tobacco flavoured e-cigarettes, were summarised. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between demographics, smoking or e-cigarette use status and reactions to a ban.

RESULTS

A ban on menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars would lead to 12%-20% of flavoured smokers trying to quit all tobacco use and 32%-52% switching to non-flavoured smoking, with the remaining switching to e-cigarettes or other products. Compared with a ban on only menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars, also banning flavoured e-cigarettes would increase the likelihood of quitting all tobacco-nicotine use (OR=2.58) but also increase the likelihood of switching to non-flavoured smoking (OR=1.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars would decrease smoking. However, it is unclear if adding a ban of menthol e-cigarettes would lead to additional benefits because without menthol e-cigarettes as an alternative, some smokers and e-cigarette users may switch to non-flavoured tobacco smoking, rather than quit all tobacco use.

Illicit cigarette purchasing after implementation of menthol cigarette bans in Canada: findings from the 2016-2018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Surveys

OBJECTIVE

To examine the impact of menthol cigarette bans on use and purchasing of illicit cigarettes among menthol and non-menthol smokers in seven Canadian provinces.

METHODS

Data from 1098 non-menthol smokers and 138 menthol smokers in Canada who completed the ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey in 2016 (pre-ban) and 2018 (post-ban). Brand validation analysis was conducted to (1) compare self-reported use of menthols versus actual use of menthols as regular brand, and verify self-reported purchasing of menthols among pre-ban menthol smokers at post-ban; and (2) assess pre-post ban changes in purchasing of illicit cigarettes from First Nations reserves among non-menthol smokers and menthol smokers.

RESULTS

Among the subset of 138 pre-ban menthol smokers, 36 (19.5%) reported smoking menthols at post-ban. Brand validation analyses showed that 19 (9.0%) were actually using a non-menthol brand; of the 17 (10.5%) who were actually using a menthol brand, 13 (7.9%) bought a menthol brand at last purchase, and 4 (2.6%) bought a non-menthol brand. Among the full sample of smokers who purchased cigarettes from First Nations reserves at both pre-ban and post-ban, there was no change in purchasing of menthols (n=9 menthol smokers; 51.2% vs 51.2%, p=1.00), non-menthols (n=1024 non-menthol smokers; 9.1% vs 8.7%, p=0.69) or all cigarettes (menthol+non-menthol) (n=1086 smokers; 9.7% vs 9.2%, p=0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Actual rates of brand-verified menthol smoking were substantially lower than self-reported rates at post-ban. After Canada's menthol ban, there was no increase in illicit purchasing of menthol or non-menthol cigarettes from First Nations reserves.

Addiction potential of combustible menthol cigarette alternatives: a randomised cross-over trial

INTRODUCTION

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued proposed product standards banning menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes and cigars. The public health benefits of these product standards may be attenuated by the role of plausible substitutes in the marketplace. Therefore, the present study examined the addiction potential of plausible combustible menthol alternatives compared with usual brand menthol cigarettes (UBMC).

METHODS

Ninety-eight adult menthol cigarette smokers completed four visits, smoking their UBMC at the first session and three menthol cigarette alternatives in random order at the subsequent visits: (1) a preassembled menthol roll-your-own (mRYO) cigarette using menthol pipe tobacco and mentholated cigarette tube, (2) a menthol filtered little cigar (mFLC) and (3) a non-menthol cigarette (NMC). Measures of smoking topography, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), craving and withdrawal, subjective effects and behavioural economic demand indices were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with UBMC, menthol cigarette alternatives resulted in different puffing topography and CO exposure (except mRYO), and lower levels of positive subjective experience and behavioural economic demand indices. Among the alternative products, participants reported the highest level of positive subjective experience and higher demand for mRYO, compared with mFLC and NMC. Similarly, participants were significantly more likely to want to try again, purchase and use the mRYO product regularly compared with mFLC and NMC.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

mRYO cigarettes were the most highly rated cigarette alternative among study products, suggesting their potential appeal as a menthol cigarette substitute and needed inclusion of menthol pipe tobacco and cigarette tubes in FDA's proposed ban.

Regulating flavours and flavour delivery technologies: an analysis of menthol cigarettes and RYO tobacco in Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION

Menthol facilitates smoking initiation among young people, enhances nicotine's addictiveness and fosters the false belief that menthol products are safer. As a result, several countries have banned use of menthol as a characterising flavour. Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) could disallow menthol-flavoured cigarettes as part of its endgame legislation; however, little is known about the NZ menthol market.

METHODS

To examine the NZ menthol market, we analysed tobacco company returns to the Ministry of Health from 2010 to 2021. We calculated the market share of menthol cigarettes as a percentage of total cigarettes released for sale, estimated capsule cigarettes' market share as a percentage of total cigarette released for sale and menthol released for sale, and calculated menthol roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco released for sale as a percentage of total RYO released.

RESULTS

Menthol brands accounted for a relatively small but nonetheless sizeable proportion of NZ's tobacco market and in 2021 constituted 13% of NZ's factory made cigarette market and 7% of the RYO market, representing 161 million cigarettes and 25 tonnes of RYO. The introduction of capsule technologies using menthol flavours corresponded with a rise in menthol sales among factory made cigarettes.

CONCLUSIONS

Capsule technologies using menthol flavours work synergistically to enhance the appeal of smoking and appear likely to encourage experimentation among non-smoking young people. Comprehensive policy that regulates menthol flavours and innovations used to deliver flavour sensations will support tobacco endgame goals in NZ and could inform policy in other countries.

Public perceptions of synthetic cooling agents in electronic cigarettes on Twitter

Amid a potential menthol ban, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) companies are incorporating synthetic cooling agents like WS-3 and WS-23 to replicate menthol/mint sensations. This study examines public views on synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes via Twitter data. From May 2021 to March 2023, we used Twitter Streaming Application Programming Interface (API), to collect tweets related to synthetic cooling agents with keywords such as 'WS-23,' 'ice,' and 'frozen.' The deep learning RoBERTa (Robustly Optimized BERT-Pretraining Approach) model that can be optimized for contextual language understanding was used to classify attitudes expressed in tweets about synthetic cooling agents and identify e-cigarette users. The BERTopic (a topic modeling technique that leverages Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) deep-learning model, specializing in extracting and clustering topics from large texts, identified major topics of positive and negative tweets. Two proportion Z-tests were used to compare the proportions of positive and negative attitudes between e-cigarette users (vapers) and non-e-cigarette-users (non-vapers). Of 6,940,065 e-cigarettes-related tweets, 5,788 were non-commercial tweets related to synthetic cooling agents. The longitudinal trend analysis showed a clear upward trend in discussions. Vapers posted most of the tweets (73.05%, 4,228/5,788). Nearly half (47.87%, 2,771/5,788) held a positive attitude toward synthetic cooling agents, which is significantly higher than those with a negative attitude (19.92%,1,153/5,788) with a P-value < 0.0001. The likelihood of vapers expressing positive attitudes (60.17%, 2,544/4,228) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that of non-vapers (14.55%, 227/1,560). Conversely, negative attitudes from non-vapers (30%, 468/1,560) were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than vapers (16.2%, 685/4,228). Prevalent topics from positive tweets included "enjoyment of specific vape flavors," "preference for lush ice vapes," and "liking of minty/icy feelings." Major topics from negative tweets included "disliking certain vape flavors" and "dislike of others vaping around them." On Twitter, vapers are more likely to have a positive attitude toward synthetic cooling agents than non-vapers. Our study provides important insights into how the public perceives synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes. These insights are crucial for shaping future U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations aimed at safeguarding public health.

Multifunctional Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Microemulsion for Transdermal Delivery of Artemisinin

As a serious public health issue, malaria threatens the health of millions of people. Artemisinin, a gift from traditional Chinese medicine, has been used in the treatment of malaria and has shown good therapeutic efficiency. However, due to its low solubility, poor bioavailability, and short half-life time, some smart delivery strategies are still required. Herein, a multifunctional DES prepared from ibuprofen and menthol was prepared. This DES was shown to efficiently promote the solubility of artemisinin up to 400-fold. Then, it was further applied as the oil phase to construct an O/W microemulsion with the help of Tween-80 + Span-20 mixed surfactants. The prepared microemulsion displayed high efficiency in improving the permeability of artemisinin, which can be ascribed to the presence of the permeation enhancer menthol in DES and the microstructure of the O/W microemulsion. Moreover, the simultaneous permeation of artemisinin and ibuprofen further indicated the potential benefits of the presented formulation in the treatment of malaria. To sum up, the microemulsion based on multifunctional DES presented herein provided an effective method for transdermal delivery of artemisinin.

Use patterns of flavored non-cigarette tobacco products among US adults, 2010-2019

OBJECTIVE

Flavored non-cigarette tobacco product (NCTP) use is common among US adult tobacco users. To update the estimates of use patterns of flavored NCTPs, this study assessed current NCTP use among adults by flavor use and flavor categories from 2010 to 2019.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 2010-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey to estimate the weighted proportion of adult NCTP users by flavor use across survey waves. Flavor use was defined as past 30-day use of any menthol/mint or fruit/other flavors. We used the 2018-2019 data to examine the differences in demographic characteristics and tobacco use patterns among users of menthol/mint or fruit/other flavors compared to exclusive users of tobacco flavor, by product type.

RESULTS

Compared to 2014-2015, electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) users were more likely (79.0% vs. 66.6%, p < 0.001) to report flavor use in 2018-2019, whereas cigar (26.9% vs. 31.2%, p = 0.030) and pipe (56.3% vs. 65.5%, p = 0.015) smokers were less likely to report flavor use in 2018-2019. In 2018-2019, the most prevalent flavor categories were exclusive use of tobacco flavor among cigar (73.1%) and smokeless tobacco (48.3%) users, and use of fruit/other flavors among ENDS (64.9%) and pipe (48.4%) users. Flavored users were more likely to be young adults aged 18-24 years (cigars, ENDS, smokeless tobacco) and Non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic persons (cigars, ENDS, pipes) compared to tobacco-flavored users.

CONCLUSIONS

Flavored product use increased among adult ENDS users but decreased among cigar and pipe smokers. These findings could inform tobacco regulatory efforts concerning flavored NCTPs.

Does Reducing the Size of the Tobacco Power Wall Affect Young People's Risk of Future Use of Tobacco Products? An Experimental Investigation

OBJECTIVE

A ban on tobacco power walls (in-store package displays) is unlikely in the United States because of concerns that such bans violate commercial free speech rights. This experiment evaluated the effectiveness of a more measured strategy for mitigating the influence of the power wall on young people's susceptibility to tobacco use: limiting its size.

METHOD

The experiment took place in the RAND StoreLab, a life-sized replica of a convenience store. Participants (N = 275) ages 11-20 years were randomly assigned to shop in a variant of the StoreLab that had either a large (status quo), medium, or small power wall situated behind the checkout counter. Before and after shopping, participants completed measures of risk of future use of unflavored and flavored cigarettes and vaping products.

RESULTS

Study condition was unrelated to future risk of smoking unflavored cigarettes, using menthol vaping products, and using sweet-flavored vaping products. Study condition was related to future risk of smoking menthol cigarettes and using unflavored vaping products; compared with exposure to a large power wall, exposure to a small power wall increased the odds of a participant's being at risk for future smoking of menthol cigarettes (odds ratio [OR] = 3.29, 95% CI [1.10, 9.83]) and the odds of a participant's being at risk for using unflavored vaping products (OR = 4.09, 95% CI [1.41, 11.85]).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings call into question the viability of reducing the size of the power wall as a singular strategy for dampening its effect on young people's susceptibility to tobacco use.

Effects of mint, menthol, and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes on tobacco withdrawal symptoms in adults who smoke menthol cigarettes: A laboratory pilot study

BACKGROUND

Menthol cigarette smoking has remained stable or increased in certain groups, despite an overall decline in cigarette smoking rates in the U.S. Understanding whether e-cigarettes alter patterns of menthol cigarette use is critical to informing efforts for reducing the public health burden of menthol cigarette smoking. This 2019-2020 laboratory pilot study evaluated whether self-administration of mint-, menthol-, or tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes would differentially impact tobacco withdrawal symptoms in e-cigarette-naïve adults who smoke menthol cigarettes daily.

METHODS

Participants (N=17; 35.3% Female; mean age=51.8) attended three laboratory sessions after 16-hours of tobacco abstinence. Participants self-administered a study-provided JUUL e-cigarette (0.7mL with 5% nicotine by weight) at each session in which flavor was manipulated (mint vs. menthol vs. tobacco; order randomized). Participants completed pre- and post-e-cigarette administration self-report assessments on smoking urges, nicotine withdrawal, and positive and negative affect states. Multilevel linear regression models tested differences between the three flavor conditions for individual study outcomes.

RESULTS

Following overnight tobacco abstinence, vaping either a mint or menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarette led to significantly greater reductions in smoking urges over time; menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarettes also suppressed urges to smoke for pleasure. Notably, no differences in nicotine withdrawal, positive affect, or negative affect were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this laboratory pilot study, mint and menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarettes provided some negative reinforcement effects via acute reductions in smoking urges during tobacco abstinence, yet only menthol flavored e-cigarettes demonstrated suppressive effects on smoking urges for pleasure in adults who smoke menthol cigarettes daily.

Wellness Program Participation and its Association With Illness-Related Absenteeism and Turnover: One University's Story

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to evaluate the possible association between health and wellness initiative (HWI) participation and illness related absenteeism (IRA) and turnover overtime.

METHODS

The IRA (2016-2019) and turnover (2016-2020) analysis consisted of a time-series design. The IRA analysis used a comparison group with propensity score matching based on select demographics and linear mixed-effects regression modeling. Logistic regression was used to measure the relationship between 2016 participation in the HWI on 2017-2020 turnover.

RESULTS

The percent increase when comparing 2016 and 2019 IRA is lower for participants (15.8%) than nonparticipants (50.0%, P > 0.001). The results also show that participating in the HWI in 2016 is associated with lower odds of subsequent turnover (odds ratio = 0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

Employers may consider implementing a comprehensive health and wellness program as part of their strategy to assist in lower IRA increases and turnover overtime.

Differential analysis of volatiles in five types of mosquito-repellent products by chemometrics combined with headspace GC-Orbitrap HRMS nontargeted detection

This paper reports a method for the differential analysis of volatile chemical components in five novel types of mosquito-repellent products based on chemometrics combined with headspace gas chromatography-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (HS-GC-Orbitrap HRMS) nontargeted screening. A total of 358 unknown substances were detected in 30 samples under specific headspace conditions. Through principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis, 36 significantly different substances with variable importance in the projection values greater than 1 were further screened, and these substances were accurately identified by GC-Orbitrap HRMS. Most substances were found for the first time in mosquito-repellent products. The clustered heat map, Venn diagram and peak area histogram showed that the mosquito-repellent products had similar volatile composition, and the volatile species and content of different types of mosquito-repellent products significantly varied. Substances, such as eucalyptol, d-limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, dl-menthol and methyl salicylate, may be the main sources of odour in mosquito-repellent products. This work explored the characteristic volatile components in mosquito-repellent products and comparatively analysed the chemical composition of different types of products. It can be generalised to consumer products as a case study and has positive implications for promoting product quality and safety and improving production processes.

Supervised exercises have superior effects compared to home-based exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis following platelet-rich plasma injection

The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of physiotherapist-supervised and home-based exercises after platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) injection in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Thirty women (mean age = 57.83 ± 7.26 years; mean weight = 72.13 ± 15.54 kg; mean height = 158.40 ± 4.49 cm; mean body mass index = 28.75 ± 6.18 kg/m2) were included. Patients randomized either supervised or home-basedexercise-group after PRP. Both groups performed 6-week (3 times/week) exercise. Pain, hip and knee muscle strength, and knee functions were assessed before and after exercise. The median improvement in the pain from baseline to 6th week was 3.80 (2.85-5.55) point in-supervised-exercise-group while it was 0.60 (-0.10-2.55) point in home-based-exercise-group (p = 0.002). The median improvement in knee function was 22.91 (13.02-30.20) in supervised-exercise-group overtime (p < 0.001). There was no improvement in knee function following home-based exercises (p = 1.000). The supervised-exercise-group revealed a significant improvement in hip (median difference = 32.00 (8.30-88.95), p = 0.011); quadriceps (median difference = 32.10 (21.65-60.05), p = 0.001) and hamstring (median difference = 27.90 (7.95-37.65), p = 0.022) strength overtime. The physiotherapist-supervised exercises after PRP had better effects on pain and knee function than the home-based exercises.

Implementation of Quitline Financial Incentives to Increase Counseling Sessions Among Adults Who Use Menthol Tobacco Products

Since 2017, the Vermont Tobacco Control Program (VTCP) has worked to reduce the impact of flavored tobacco products on Vermonters. With the proposed U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars and proposed legislation banning sales of all menthol and flavored tobacco products in Vermont, VTCP prioritized resources to support cessation among Vermonters who use menthol tobacco products. In March 2021, VTCP began offering a tailored quitline protocol for adults who use menthol tobacco, including financial incentives, for completed coaching sessions. From March 2021 to May 2022, 66 quitline callers enrolled in the menthol incentive protocol, representing 8% of all quitline callers and 25% of participants in the state's quitline incentive programs. A greater proportion of callers in the menthol incentive program completed three or more quitline calls (58% vs. 38%) and enrolled in phone and text support (61% vs. 32%). Quitline callers enrolled in any incentive protocols (menthol, Medicaid/uninsured, or pregnant) were more likely to request one or two forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Quitlines remain an effective, evidence-based method of tobacco cessation, especially in reaching vulnerable populations. Given the targeted marketing of menthol brands to Black and African American populations, LGBTQ+ populations, youth, and neighborhoods with lower incomes, addressing menthol cigarette use is key to improving health equity and health of Vermonters. Early data indicates that the use of financial incentives can increase engagement with a state quitline among menthol tobacco users through greater completion of cessation coaching calls, enrollment in text message support, and NRT usage.

L-Menthol for Color Difference Change Between Early Gastric Cancer and Surrounding Mucosa: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

L-Menthol sprayed on early gastric cancer (EGC) has been reported to improve the visibility of the lesion. However, its impact when used in combination with novel image-enhanced endoscopy has not been investigated.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the visual effect of spraying L-menthol on EGC under linked color imaging (LCI).

METHODS

This open-label, single-arm, prospective study investigated the color difference between EGC and the surrounding mucosa (ΔEG) before and after spraying L-menthol. The primary endpoint was the percentage of lesions with ΔEG ≥ 5 on LCI. The percentage of lesions with ΔEG  ≥ 5 on white light imaging (WLI) and blue laser imaging (BLI), ΔEG before and after spraying L-menthol, and percentage of lesions with increased ΔEG after spraying L-menthol constituted the secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were included in the final analysis. 100% lesions had ΔEG ≥ 5, both before and after spraying L-menthol on LCI, with similar results observed in WLI as well as BLI. The median ΔEG on LCI, WLI, and BLI increased after spraying L-menthol (LCI: 16.9 vs. 21.5, p < 0.01; WLI: 10.4 vs. 13.4, p < 0.01; BLI; 12.1 vs. 15.7, before and after, respectively, p < 0.01); and LCI demonstrated the highest percentage of lesions with increased ΔEG (LCI, WLI, and BLI: 98.3%, 81.7%, and 76.7%, respectively, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Although spraying L-menthol did not improve the visibility of EGC under LCI observation, a significant increase in ΔEG was observed in LCI (jRCTs 021200027).

The Impact of High or Low Doses of Nicotine in a Mouse Model of Vapor Self-Administration

INTRODUCTION

A wide variety of nicotine concentrations and formulations are available to users of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). This is increasingly true when considering the many flavors available with ENDS products. To date, there have been few preclinical investigations into the impact of nicotine doses, with and without flavors, on vaping-related behaviors. This present study evaluated how nicotine concentrations relevant to tank-based and pod-based ENDS, with and without flavors, impact reinforcement-related behavior in a mouse model.

AIMS AND METHODS

Adult male and female C57/BL6J mice were used in vapor-inhalation self-administration assays. Mice were assigned e-liquids containing 6 mg/mL or 60 mg/mL nicotine. Additional mice were assigned these nicotine doses with green apple or menthol flavorants. Mice were trained on fixed-ratio 1 for 10, 2-hour sessions, then five sessions at FR3, three progressive ratio sessions, and two FR3 sessions.

RESULTS

We observed male mice exhibited higher reinforcement-related behavior to menthol-flavored 6 mg/mL nicotine when compared to female mice. Males were only observed to have a menthol-induced enhancement of self-administration at 6 mg/mL nicotine and not 60 mg/mL nicotine. However, female mice exhibited significant menthol-induced increases in reinforcement-related behaviors with 60 mg/mL nicotine.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide evidence that males and females exhibit different dose sensitivities to nicotine. These sex-dependent differences in nicotine sensitivity also indicate that flavor-induced enhancement in nicotine intake is dependent on the different doses for each sex.

IMPLICATIONS

There has been much discussion recently regarding the impact of flavors on vaping-related behavior. Our current study may support prior investigations that suggest flavors enhance the palatability of nicotine-containing products. However, this current study provides evidence that males and females exhibit different sensitivities to nicotine.

Trends in unit sales of cooling flavoured e-cigarettes, USA, 2017-2021

OBJECTIVE

Flavours that produce a cooling sensation, such as menthol, enhance the appeal of e-cigarettes among youth; but not all e-cigarettes that produce cooling sensations are labelled as menthol. This study assessed trends in unit sales of cooling flavoured e-cigarettes in the USA.

DESIGN

E-cigarette retail sales during 26 January 2017 to 28 November 2021 were licensed from Information Resources, Inc, which records brick-and-mortar retail scanner sales but not online or vape shop sales. Cooling flavours were identified using six descriptors: menthol, ice, cool, chill, freeze or frost; ambiguous flavours were verified using online searches. Cooling flavours were categorised by characterising flavour (menthol, mint, other) and product type (prefilled cartridges, disposables, e-liquids). Joinpoint regression was used to assess sales and price trends.

RESULTS

During January 2017 to November 2021, unit sales of cooling flavoured e-cigarettes increased by 693.0% (1.5 to 12.0 million units); the percentage of these sales from total sales increased from 26.4% to 54.9%. Among cooling flavours, percentage of menthol sales decreased from 94.5% to 73.0% (p<0.001). Among menthol cooling flavours, percentage of prefilled cartridges increased from 67.2% to 96.6% (p<0.001); among non-menthol cooling flavours, percentage of disposable e-cigarettes increased from 5.2% to 99.2% (p<0.001). There were no significant price differences between cooling and non-cooling flavoured disposable e-cigarettes.

CONCLUSION

The percentage of cooling flavoured e-cigarette sales from total sales doubled during 2017-2021, and sales of non-menthol cooling disposable e-cigarettes experienced the highest percentage increase. Cooling flavoured e-cigarettes are important to consider when developing strategies to address flavoured e-cigarette use among youth.

Expanding local sales restrictions on flavoured tobacco products to include menthol: retail sales changes in two Minnesota cities

BACKGROUND

In 2018, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, expanded existing local sales restrictions on flavoured (non-menthol/mint/wintergreen) tobacco products ('flavour policies') to include menthol/mint/wintergreen-flavoured tobacco products ('menthol policies'). All policies included exemptions for certain store types.

METHODS

We obtained weekly retail tobacco product sales for 2015 through 2019 from NielsenIQ for convenience stores and other outlets in the policy jurisdictions and two comparison areas (rest of the state of Minnesota and total USA). We standardised unit sales across product categories and used NielsenIQ-provided descriptors to classify products as menthol (including mint/wintergreen) or flavoured (non-menthol/non-tobacco). Using single group interrupted time series models, we analysed unit sales by product category and by flavour separately for each geography to assess associations between menthol policy implementation and trends in tobacco product unit sales.

RESULTS

Following menthol policy implementation, unit sales of menthol cigarettes and menthol smokeless tobacco decreased in both cities, with smaller decreases in comparison areas. Flavoured cigar sales-which decreased following the flavour policies-further decreased after the menthol policies, while sales of menthol electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) increased in both cities and sales of flavoured ENDS increased in St. Paul.

CONCLUSION

Expanding flavour policies to include menthol/mint/wintergreen was associated with significant decreases in unit sales of most menthol products and in total unit sales by tobacco product category. Increases in menthol and flavoured ENDS sales in these cities may be associated with legal sales by exempted retailers and/or illicit sales by non-compliant retailers, highlighting opportunities for retailer education and enforcement.

Depolymerized carrageenan expresses elicitor-like activity on Mentha arvensis L. under arsenic stress: Insights into arsenic resilience and monoterpene synthesis

Heavy metals contaminate agricultural land by limiting the productivity of crops and making them or their products unfit for consumption. Arsenic (As) is a potentially hazardous metalloid that severely impacts plants' survival. Menthol mint (Mentha arvensis L.) bears volatile compounds that are harshly exaggerated by diverse environmental factors like drought, salinity, heavy metal, temperature, photoperiod, and luminosity stresses. In this study, the phytotoxicity of As was examined in M. arvensis L. and its alleviation through the supplementation of oligomers of carrageenan. Noticeably, scanty information is available regarding the effect of irradiated carrageenan (ICA) on As-stressed plants. In order to observe the same in the case of M. arvensis L., the effect of ICA on As-treated plants was explored. The ICA concentration (foliar-applied) selected for the study was 80 mg L-1, 100 mg L-1 and 120 mg L-1, and that of As (soil-applied) was 80 mg kg-1 soil. Excess accumulation of As resulted in reduced growth, enzymatic activities, and yield and quality parameters of M. arvensis L. under As toxicity. However, the foliage application of ICA strengthens the antioxidant machinery and other physiological and oxidative stress biomarkers of the plant by facilitating the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and proline, and, therefore aids in alleviating the toxicity generated by As. Nevertheless, ICA supplementation proves beneficial in enhancing the monoterpene synthesis (essential oil production and its active constituents) of M. arvensis L. by maintaining a steady-state equilibrium between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and its scavenging process.

Rats chasing the dragon: A new heroin inhalation method

BACKGROUND

Despite extensive human use of inhalation for ingesting opioids, models in rodents have mostly been limited to parenteral injection and oral dosing. Methods using electronic drug delivery systems (EDDS; "e-cigarettes") have shown efficacy in rodent models but these do not faithfully mimic the most popular human inhalation method of heating heroin to the point of vaporization.

NEW METHOD

Middle aged rats were exposed to vapor created by direct heating of heroin HCl powder in a ceramic e-cigarette type atomizer. Efficacy was determined with a warm water tail withdrawal nociception assay, rectal temperature and self-administration.

RESULTS

Ten minutes of inhalation of vaporized heroin slowed response latency in a warm water tail withdrawal assay and increased rectal temperature in male rats, in a dose-dependent manner. Similar antinociceptive effects in female rats were attenuated by the opioid antagonist naloxone (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Female rats made operant responses for heroin vapor in 15-minute sessions, increased their response rate when the reinforcement ratio increased from FR1 to FR5, and further increased their responding when vapor delivery was omitted. Anti-nociceptive effects of self-administered volatilized heroin were of a similar magnitude as those produced by the 10-minute non-contingent exposure.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

Inhalation of directly volatilized heroin successfully produces heroin-typical effects, comparable to EDDS inhalation delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that "chasing the dragon" methods of inhalation of heroin can be modeled successfully in the rat. Inhalation techniques may be particularly useful for longer term studies deep into the middle age of rats.

Synthesis and biological evaluation against H. pylori of chitosan menthone Schiff base hybrid with different types of inorganic nanoparticles

The production of novel natural medicines for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has lately attracted a lot of interest. Some bacterial infections have traditionally been alleviated by terpenes. The present work intended to examine the impact of several chitosan menthone Schiff base nanocomposites on the treatment of H. pylori infection as well as on its anti-inflammatory capacity. Chitosan (Cs) was condensed with menthone with different molar ratios of Cs:menthone (1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2) to produce chitosan Schiff bases namely; Cs-SB1, Cs-SB2, and Cs-SB3, respectively. Cs-SB3 Schiff base nanocomposites were prepared individually by adding 2%Ag, 2%Se, (1%Ag + 1%Se), and 2%Fe2O3 nanoparticles to produce compounds denoted as Cs-SB-Ag, Cs-SB-Se, Cs-SB-Ag/ Se, and Cs-SB-Fe, respectively. The anti-H. pylori activity of Cs-SB-Se was detected at a minimal inhibitory concentration MIC of 1.9 μg/mL making it the most biologically active compound in our study. Cs-SB-Se nanocomposite was tested for its cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitory potential which demonstrated inhibitory efficacy towards COX enzymes with inhibition value against COX-1 (IC50 = 49.86 ± 1.784 μg/mL) and COX-2 (IC50 = 12.64 ± 0.463 μg/mL) which were less than the well-known Celecoxib (22.65 ± 0.081 and 0.789 ± 0.029 μg/mL) and Indomethacin (0.035 ± 0.001 and 0.08 ± 0.003 μg/mL) inhibitors. The selectivity index SI = 3.94 for tested nanocomposites indicated higher selectivity for COX-1. The cytotoxicity of the Cs-SB-Se nanocomposite was evaluated in Vero cells (CCL-81) and it showed that at a concentration of 62.5 μg/mL, cell viability was 85.43 %.

Changes in Sales of Vaping Products and Cigarettes Associated With the New York State Flavored Vaping Product Sales Restriction

INTRODUCTION

New York (NY) implemented a statewide restriction on the retail sale of flavored vaping products to reduce availability of vaping products having youth-appealing flavors in 2020. We assessed the intended effects of the NY law on sales of flavored vaping products and explored whether policy implementation had unintended effects on consumer behavior by evaluating policy-associated changes in sales of combusted cigarettes, which could serve as more harmful substitute products for NY consumers of flavored vaping products.

AIMS AND METHODS

We analyzed custom product-level weekly retail tobacco sales scanner data for NY and a comparison state (California [CA]) for convenience stores and other outlets from June 2018 through June 2021. We categorized flavor descriptors for vaping products as flavored or as tobacco or unflavored and categorized cigarettes as menthol or non-menthol. We used a difference-in-difference model to assess the effect of the sales restriction on unit sales of flavored and unflavored vaping products and menthol and non-menthol cigarettes in NY compared with CA.

RESULTS

Following NY policy implementation, flavored and total vaping product sales decreased in NY relative to CA. Unflavored vaping product sales increased in NY, while menthol cigarette sales did not change significantly relative to CA sales.

CONCLUSIONS

The NY flavored vaping product policy was associated with fewer sales of flavored and total vaping products. The increase in sales of unflavored vaping products did not suggest complete substitution, and sales data suggest that consumers did not turn to cigarettes after flavored vaping products became unavailable.

IMPLICATIONS

This study provides evidence that NY's flavored vaping product policy is associated with reduced flavored vaping product access and sales. Our analyses of potential unintended consequences indicate that some consumers switched from flavored to unflavored vaping products, but that cigarette sales did not change concurrent with the policy which means that decreased availability of flavored vaping products did not result in vapers switching to cigarettes. NY's policy had its intended effect with limited unintended consequences.

Improving Prediction of Tobacco Use Over Time: Findings from Waves 1-4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

INTRODUCTION

First-order Markov models assume future tobacco use behavior is dependent on current tobacco use and are often used to characterize patterns of tobacco use over time. Higher-order Markov models that assume future behavior is dependent on current and prior tobacco use may better estimate patterns of tobacco use.

AIMS AND METHODS

This study compared Markov models of different orders to examine whether incorporating information about tobacco use history improves model estimation of tobacco use and estimated tobacco use transition probabilities. We used data from four waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. In each Wave, a participant was categorized into one of the following tobacco use states: never smoker, former smoker, menthol cigarette smoker, non-menthol cigarette smoker, or e-cigarette/dual user. We compared first-, second-, and third-order Markov models using multinomial logistic regression and estimated transition probabilities between tobacco use states.

`RESULTS

The third-order model was the best fit for the data. The percentage of former smokers, menthol cigarette smokers, non-menthol cigarette smokers, and e-cigarette/dual users in Wave 3 that remained in the same tobacco use state in Wave 4 ranged from 63.4% to 97.2%, 29.2% to 89.8%, 34.8% to 89.7%, and 20.5% to 80.0%, respectively, dependent on tobacco use history. Individuals who were current tobacco users, but former smokers in the prior two years, were most likely to quit.

CONCLUSIONS

Transition probabilities between tobacco use states varied widely depending on tobacco use history. Higher-order Markov models improve estimation of tobacco use over time and can inform understanding of trajectories of tobacco use behavior.

IMPLICATIONS

Findings from this study suggest that transition probabilities between tobacco use states vary widely depending on tobacco use history. Tobacco product users (cigarette or e-cigarette/dual users) who were in the same tobacco use state in the prior two years were least likely to quit. Individuals who were current tobacco users, but former smokers in the prior two years, were most likely to quit. Quitting smoking for at least two years is an important milestone in the process of cessation.

Motivation to Quit Smoking Among Black Adults Residing in Los Angeles County Communities With Menthol Cigarette Sales Restrictions

Background: Research is needed to identify the determinants of motivation to quit smoking among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) adults who smoke menthol cigarettes and reside in communities covered by menthol cigarette bans. Objectives: This study examined the associations between motivation to quit smoking and a range of individual-level predictors, including measures of demographics, harm/risk perception of menthol cigarettes, and awareness of a ban on menthol cigarettes in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities. Self-identified NHB adults who currently smoke menthol cigarettes (N=50; M=47.2 years; SD=13.7; 46% female) were recruited in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities. Participants completed an interviewer-administered cross-sectional survey between January to September 2021. Results: Participants (74%) reported an annual household income of less than $25,000. Participants' mean age at cigarette initiation was 15.7 years old (SD=5.68). Most (88%) were aware of the ordinance banning menthol cigarette sales. Employing multivariable linear regression analysis, harm/risk perception of menthol cigarettes (B=14.69, p<0.01) and awareness of the local menthol ban (B=26.18, p<0.05) were found to be independently associated with motivation to quit smoking. Conclusions: Findings from this community-based sample suggest that among NHB adults who smoke menthol cigarettes, motivation to quit smoking is influenced by their perception of menthol cigarettes as harmful and awareness of local policy banning the sale of menthol cigarettes. Findings underscore the need for community-centered and culturally grounded interventions to facilitate quitting among NHB adults who smoke in order for communities covered by menthol bans to achieve health equity in reducing preventable racial inequities due to menthol cigarettes.

Tobacco and menthol flavored nicotine-free electronic cigarettes induced inflammation and dysregulated repair in lung fibroblast and epithelium

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarette (e-cig) vaping has increased in the past decade in the US, and e-cig use is misleadingly marketed as a safe cessation for quitting smoking. The main constituents in e-liquid are humectants, such as propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), but different flavoring chemicals are also used. However, the toxicology profile of flavored e-cigs in the pulmonary tract is lacking. We hypothesized that menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cig (nicotine-free) exposure results in inflammatory responses and dysregulated repair in lung fibroblast and epithelium.

METHOD

We exposed lung fibroblast (HFL-1) and epithelium (BEAS-2B) to Air, PG/VG, menthol flavored, or tobacco-flavored e-cig, and determined the cytotoxicity, inflammation, and wound healing ability in 2D cells and 3D microtissue chip models.

RESULTS

After exposure, HFL-1 showed decreased cell number with increased IL-8 levels in the tobacco flavor group compared to air. BEAS-2B also showed increased IL-8 secretion after PG/VG and tobacco flavor exposure, while menthol flavor exposure showed no change. Both menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cig exposure showed decreased protein abundance of type 1 collagen α 1 (COL1A1), α-smooth-muscle actin (αSMA), and fibronectin as well as decreased gene expression level of αSMA (Acta2) in HFL-1. After tobacco flavor e-cig exposure, HFL-1 mediated wound healing and tissue contractility were inhibited. Furthermore, BEAS-2B exposed to menthol flavor showed significantly decreased tight junction gene expressions, such as CDH1, OCLN, and TJP1.

CONCLUSION

Overall, tobacco-flavored e-cig exposure induces inflammation in both epithelium and fibroblasts, and tobacco-flavored e-cig inhibits wound healing ability in fibroblasts.

Chitosan nanoparticles modulate plant growth, and yield, as well as thrips infestation in Capsicum spp

The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological and biochemical effects of Chitosan nanoparticles on Capsicum annuum plants. The particle size, polydispersity index, composition, and structure of the synthesized chitosan-based nanoparticles (Chitosan (CS), Chitosan-Silver (CSAg), and Chitosan-Copper (CSCu) NPs) were determined by analyzing the zeta potential, FTIR, TEM, and XRD. The seedlings showed improved physiological and biochemical characteristics when 1, 10, and 20 ppm concentrations of nanoparticles (CS, CSAg, and CSCu) were used for 24-h seed priming. The application of nanoparticles in different concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ppm) on the leaves of Capsicum spp. plants resulted in improved physiological traits and protection against thrips by 70-85 %. Furthermore, it enhanced the content of chlorophyll (20-75 %), carotenoids (20-30 %), total phenolics (20-45 %), total flavonoids (40-125 %), reducing sugars (15-40 %), total antioxidant activity (10-82 %), FRAP (10-100 %), DPPH (76-83 mg mL-1) activity, and total capsaicinoids (125-142 %). Therefore, the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles could be considered an environmentally friendly approach to enhance secondary metabolite production, disease resistance, and growth in Capsicum spp. plants for sustainable production.

Comprehensive quality assessment of peppermint oils and commercial products: An integrated approach involving conventional and chiral GC/MS coupled with chemometrics

Peppermint essential oil (EO) has a multitude of applications, such as a fragrance in cosmetics, personal care and industrial products, or as a flavoring ingredient in food and beverages. Despite its popularity and economic significance, peppermint EO is often adulterated to reduce production costs and to increase profits. Although the ISO standard for peppermint EO exists, detecting sophisticated forms of adulteration remains challenging.The current study used conventional and chiral GC/MS analysis of volatiles compounds, and chemometric techniques to evaluate an extensive set of authentic peppermint EO (n = 22) and commercial products (n = 36) purported to contain peppermint EO. Specifically, thirty-six terpenoids were examined in each sample and compared with the ISO standard. Fifty-three percent of the selected commercial products did not meet the ISO specifications and the ratio between menthone/isomenthone was proven to be a good indicator for authentication and adulteration detection. Chiral GC/MS was further employed to measure eight terpenoids: α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, menthol, menthone, isomenthone, pulegone, and menthyl acetate. The enantiomeric compositions of 27 commercial products were above or below the norm measured from authentic peppermint EOs. Of the 27 samples, eight met the ISO standard. A sample class prediction (SCP) model based on partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of conventional GC/MS data was constructed using authentic peppermint EOs and cornmint EOs. The model can distinguish the most common types of peppermint EOs (US, India, and US/India blend) and cornmint EOs sold in the US market. After construction, the SCP model was then used to analyze commercial samples. One sample, which passed both ISO specification and chiral analysis, was identified as outlier by the SCP model. Overall, the applicability of combining both conventional and chiral GC/MS along with chemometric tools has been successfully demonstrated to address the overall quality of peppermint EOs in commerce and may help combat sophisticated adulteration.

Magnetic superhydrophobic melamine sponges for crude oil removal from water

This paper proposes the preparation of a new sorbent material based on melamine sponges (MS) with superhydrophobic, superoleophilic, and magnetic properties. This study involved impregnating the surface of commercially available MS with eco-friendly deep eutectic solvents (DES) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The DES selection was based on the screening of 105 eutectic mixtures using COSMO-RS modeling. Other parameters affecting the efficiency and selectivity of oil removal from water were optimized using the Box-Bhenken model. Menthol:Thymol (1:1)@Fe3O4-MS exhibited the highest sorption capacity for real crude oils (101.7-127.3 g/g). This new sponge demonstrated paramagnetic behavior (31.06 emu/g), superhydrophobicity (151°), superoleophobicity (0°), low density (15.6 mg/cm3), high porosity (99 %), and excellent mechanical stability. Furthermore, it allows multiple regeneration processes without losing its sorption capacity. Based on these benefits, Menthol:Thymol (1:1)@Fe3O4-MS shows promise as an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly substitute for the existing sorbents.

A Randomized Control Study in Healthy Adult Smokers to Assess Reduced Exposure to Selected Cigarette Smoke Constituents in Switching to the Novel Heated Tobacco Product DT3.0a

This was a randomized, controlled, open-label, confinement study to assess change in exposure to selected cigarette smoke constituents in healthy adult cigarette smokers who switched to using a novel heated tobacco product (direct heating tobacco system, platform 3, generation 3, version a [DT3.0a]). Sixty nonmenthol cigarette smokers were randomized into 1 of the 4 study groups in which subjects switched to a nonmenthol type of tobacco stick used with DT3.0a, switched to a nonmenthol tobacco stick used with an in-market heated tobacco product device (THS), continued to smoke nonmenthol cigarettes, or stopped smoking. Furthermore, 30 menthol cigarette smokers were randomized into 1 of the 2 study groups in which subjects switched to a menthol tobacco stick used with DT3.0a (mDT3.0a) or continued to smoke menthol cigarettes. Fifteen biomarkers of exposure to selected harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) were measured during the 5-day exposure period, followed by assessment of nicotine pharmacokinetics with the assigned product. Results indicated that switching to DT3.0a, THS, and mDT3.0a showed significant exposure reductions in most of the selected HPHCs as compared to continuing smoking cigarettes, with reductions being similar in magnitude to reductions observed with smoking cessation. For DT3.0a and mDT3.0a, nicotine pharmacokinetic parameters were not remarkably different from those obtained for cigarettes and the THS except that a longer time to maximum concentration was obtained following use of the mDT3.0a. In conclusion, switching from smoking cigarettes to DT3.0a or THS use reduced exposure to most of the selected HPHCs, and no remarkable differences were observed for the measurements obtained from different flavors of DT3.0a stick.

Pectin-rich dragon fruit peel extracts: An environmentally friendly emulsifier of natural origin

Pectin extraction is generally an energy-intensive industrial process, while on the other hand their extraction methods vary from different sources. Starting with that perspective, pectin (WSP) containing ultra-low degree of methylation (31.08 ± 1.27%) from dragon fruit peel (DFP) was extracted by using pure water at room temperature. WSP, dominant in DFP (17.13 ± 1.01%), showed both a high molecular weight and a wide molecular weight distribution, while the yield of the rest acid-soluble pectin (HAP) from DFP residue was only 5.22 ± 0.76%. Furthermore, WSP can stabilize emulsions over a wide range of concentrations and oil phases, especially HIPE. Therefore, the hypothesis was verified that the pectin-rich extract from dragon fruit peel with excellent emulsifying properties could be simply extracted by pure water. This environmentally-friendly and energy-saving extraction method provides a new insight to increase the additional value of dragon fruit peel produced in food processing.

Evaluation of convolutional neural network for non-destructive detection of imidacloprid and acetamiprid residues in chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) based on visible near-infrared spectroscopy

Consumption of agricultural products with pesticide residue is risky and can negatively affect health. This study proposed a nondestructive method of detecting pesticide residues in chili pepper based on the combination of visible and near-infrared (VIS/NIR) spectroscopy (400-2498 nm) and deep learning modeling. The obtained spectra of chili peppers with two types of pesticide residues (acetamiprid and imidacloprid) were analyzed using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). Compared with the commonly used partial least squares regression model, the 1D-CNN approach yielded higher prediction accuracy, with a root mean square error of calibration of 0.23 and 0.28 mg/kg and a root mean square error of prediction of 0.55 and 0.49 mg/kg for the acetamiprid and imidacloprid data sets, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that the combination of the 1D-CNN model and VIS/NIR spectroscopy is a promising nondestructive method of identifying pesticide residues in chili pepper.

Public health impact of a US menthol cigarette ban on the non-Hispanic black population: a simulation study

INTRODUCTION

With the US Food and Drug Administration recently proposing to implement a ban on menthol cigarettes, it is critical to estimate the potential public health effects of such a ban. With high rates of menthol cigarette use and important smoking-related health disparity implications, the impact of the ban on the non-Hispanic black (NHB) population merits strong consideration.

METHODS

We apply the previously developed Menthol Smoking and Vaping Model to the NHB population. A status quo scenario is developed using NHB-specific population, smoking and vaping initiation, cessation and death rates. Estimates from a recent expert elicitation on behavioural impacts of a menthol cigarette ban on the NHB population are used to develop a menthol ban scenario implemented in 2021. The public health impacts of the menthol ban are estimated as the difference between smoking and vaping attributable deaths (SVADs) and life years lost (LYLs) in the status quo and the menthol ban scenarios from 2021 to 2060.

RESULTS

Under the menthol ban scenario, overall smoking is projected to decline by 35.7% in 2026 and by 25.3% in 2060 relative to the status quo scenario. With these reductions, SVADs are estimated to fall by about 18.5% and LYLs by 22.1%, translating to 255 895 premature deaths averted, and 4.0 million life years gained over a 40-year period.

CONCLUSIONS

A menthol cigarette ban will substantially reduce the smoking-associated health impact on the NHB population, thereby reducing health disparities.

Tax incidence for menthol cigarettes by race: Evidence from Nielsen Homescan data

We use Nielsen Homescan data to examine whether the incidence of cigarette taxes on menthol products varies with race. We find that taxes are shifted at significantly lower rates to Black smokers of menthol cigarettes than any other smokers. One possible explanation is that the industry targets price promotions to Black menthol smokers because they tend to be more responsive to cigarette prices relative to other smokers. We find evidence that Black smokers receive significantly more price discounts for menthol products than white menthol smokers. Our findings indicate that increasing cigarette taxes would effectively reduce menthol smoking among Black Americans because tax pass-through rate for Black menthol smokers is still substantially above zero.

Changes in Pack Features Among Top-Selling Cigarettes in the U.S., 2018 and 2021

INTRODUCTION

Cigarette packaging is designed to increase consumer appeal and remains a primary promotional tool in many countries, including the U.S. This study documented changes in the prevalence of pack characteristics among the top-selling cigarette products in the U.S. in 2018 and 2021.

METHODS

The 50 cigarette packs with the highest national unit sales in U.S. convenience stores in 2018 and 2021 were identified using Nielsen's Scantrack data and subsequently purchased. Packs were coded for features such as dominant color(s), descriptive text, and promotional language. Descriptive analyses conducted in 2022 weighted by total annual unit sales compared the prevalence of pack characteristics between years.

RESULTS

Three brands-Marlboro, Newport, and Camel-constituted over 80% of pack sales among the top-selling products. Packs with red as a dominant color grew less popular between years (33.3% vs 29.5%), whereas those with green became more prevalent (25.2% vs 28.9%), consistent with a rise in the proportion of menthol sales. The prevalence of descriptors such as flavor and fresh decreased from 46.0% to 39.4% and 9.7% to 5.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, the prevalence of promotional language (e.g., rewards programs) increased from 60.9% to 69.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of visual and named colors remains common, which can implicitly communicate sensory or health-related attributes. Moreover, promotions may help recruit and retain consumers in the context of more restrictive tobacco control policies and price increases. Given the strong influence that cigarette packaging exerts on consumers, packaging-focused policies, such as plain packaging laws, may reduce appeal and accelerate declines in cigarette use.

Loss of TRPM8 Exacerbate Herpes Simplex Keratitis Infection in Mice by Promoting the Infiltration of CD11b+ Ly6G+ Cells and Increasing the Viral Load in the Cornea

Purpose

To reveal the role of transient receptor potential cation subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) channels in herpes simplex keratitis (HSK).

Methods

HSK models were established using TRPM8 knockout (TRPM8-/-) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates. The infected corneas were graded and harvested to evaluate the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as well as the infiltration of inflammatory cells through immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Viral titers were determined by plaque assay and absolute quantitative method. RNA-sequencing was conducted to elucidate the transcriptome of corneal epithelium in response to TRPM8 knockout after infection. The anti-inflammatory effect of TRPM8 agonist menthol was documented via subconjunctival administration.

Results

Compared to their wild-type counterparts, TRPM8-deficient mice exhibited exacerbated infection symptoms and thicker corneas in HSK models. Infection in TRPM8-deficient mice resulted in significant lymphocyte infiltration, primarily consisting of Ly6G+ CD11b+ cells. Additionally, TRPM8-deficient mice displayed increased levels of corneal viral titers after infection, along with decreased expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Subconjunctival administration of menthol effectively alleviated infection-induced symptoms and Ly6G+ CD11b+ cell infiltration in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-treated mice.

Conclusions

TRPM8 promoted host resistance to HSV-1 infection by suppressing the accumulation of Ly6G+ CD11b+ cells and virus replication. These findings suggest that targeting TRPM8 could be valuable for therapeutic interventions against HSV-1 infections.

Revisiting a classical theory of sensory specificity: assessing consistency and stability of thermosensitive spots

Thermal sensitivity is not uniform across the skin, and is particularly high in small (∼1 mm2) regions termed "thermosensitive spots." These spots are thought to reflect the anatomical location of specialized thermosensitive nerve endings from single primary afferents. Thermosensitive spots provide foundational support for "labeled line" or specificity theory of sensory perception, which states that different sensory qualities are transmitted by separate and specific neural pathways. This theory predicts a highly stable relation between repetitions of a thermal stimulus and the resulting sensory quality, yet these predictions have rarely been tested systematically. Here, we present the qualitative, spatial, and repeatability properties of 334 thermosensitive spots on the dorsal forearm sampled across four separate sessions. In line with previous literature, we found that spots associated with cold sensations (112 cold spots, 34%) were more frequent than spots associated with warm sensations (41 warm spots, 12%). Still more frequent (165 spots, 49%) were spots that elicited inconsistent sensations when repeatedly stimulated by the same temperature. Remarkably, only 13 spots (4%) conserved their position between sessions. Overall, we show unexpected inconsistency of both the perceptual responses elicited by spot stimulation and of spot locations across time. These observations suggest reappraisals of the traditional view that thermosensitive spots reflect the location of individual thermosensitive, unimodal primary afferents serving as specific labeled lines for corresponding sensory qualities.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Thermosensitive spots are clustered rather than randomly distributed and have the highest density near the wrist. Surprisingly, we found that thermosensitive spots elicit inconsistent sensory qualities and are unstable over time. Our results question the widely believed notion that thermosensitive spots reflect the location of individual thermoreceptive, unimodal primary afferents that serve as labelled lines for corresponding sensory qualities.